Peroxidase Localization in Hartmanella Trophozoites

Abstract

Biochemical and differential centrifugation studies have demonstrated that the oxidative enzymes of Acanthamoeba sp. are localized in mitochondria and peroxisomes (microbodies). Although hartmanellid amoebae have been the subject of several electron microscopic studies, peroxisomes have not been described from these organisms or other protozoa. Cytochemical tests employing diaminobenzidine-tetra HCl (DAB) and hydrogen peroxide were used for the ultrastructural localization of peroxidases of trophozoites of Hartmanella sp. (A-l, Culbertson), a pathogenic strain grown in axenic cultures of trypticase soy broth.